France reduced imports of pangasius and cod in 2013

Vietnam ranked the 11^th among France's suppliers of frozen fish fillets with a value of US$46.3 million in 2013, down nearly 29 percent against US$65.07 million in 2012.

Last year, France had high demand for fresh whitemeat fish species, especially fresh cod; whereas, consumption of frozen cod fillets was slightly weakened. French consumers were turning from salmon to whitemeat fish, as the salmon price was much expensive. In the first half of 2013, consumption of fresh whole cod and cod fillets rose 16.8 percent in volume, boosting their shares in the fresh fish segment to 16.8 percent. The cod price in 2013 was US$18.10 per kilogram averagely, down 6 percent year on year.

Alaska pollock got major shares in French imports of frozen whitemeat fish fillets in 2013. There were 50,512 MT of Alaska pollock entered into France, worth up US$158.2 million, higher than 44,488 MT and up 13.8 percent compared to US$139.03 million in 2012.

Cod was the second imported fish with US$137.7 million, down 4.8 percent against US$144.6 million of the previous year. Hake ranked third with US$49.3 million, up 2.7 percent against US$48.1 million in 2012.

In 2013, French purchase of pangasius and catfish was 5,774 MT, valued US$17.8 million, fewer than 5,906 MT and down 15.6 percent from US$21.1 million a year ago. Pangasius and catfish products were bought from 7 countries, compared to 15 countries reported in 2012; 78 percent of imported pangasius came from Vietnam.

According to Vietnam Customs, France consumed US$15.7 million from pangasius products from Vietnam in 2013, down 6.7 percent from US$16.869 million in 2012. The market ranked the 9^th among pangasius importers in the EU. It stood at the 8^th position in 2012.

In 2013, French fish markets saw drop in sales. Compared to 2012, seafood sales of the country went down 4 percent in volume and value to 209,103 MT and EUR616 million. There were lower landings of whitemeat fish, pelagic fish and cephalopod. Despite a 16.6-percent drop in catch, salmon was still the most consumed fish with 20.5-percent share in France's fresh fish segment. It was followed by saithe with 6 percent, trout salmon (3.7 percent), sea bass (3.3 percent), perch (1.3 percent) và pangasius (1.1 percent).

Of whitemeat fish species, there was strong demand for fresh cod as a result of low price. However, the consumption of cod has slightly slowed down since April 2013, when the price recovered, said a local whitemeat fish supplier.

There have been positive signs from French market, as consumers are turning to fresh fish after many years of eating frozen products. Fresh fish also enters into the segment of food and services, which was dominated by frozen fish before. This trend will result in slight drop in consumption of frozen fillets of pangasius and other fish species in the coming time.